My Mexico Trip

[darrylri]

I just returned from a three week tour down to Mexico. You can see my photos and some commentary at my website:

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/2009/mexico/

 

[kgadley01]

Looks like you had a great time. Very nice Pictures.

 

[burnszilla]

Nice Darryl. When I went to see the butterflies in 1998, we drove 8 hours through the mountains and then found out that we were too early. Did you ride the tram in Zacatecas?

 

[darrylri]

Nice Darryl. When I went to see the butterflies in 1998, we drove 8 hours through the mountains and then found out that we were too early. Did you ride the tram in Zacatecas?

No, unfortunately it was closed due to winds.

Mexico is a land of contrasts. Terrible poverty and wonderful plenty.

 

[Polarbear]

Good stuff

I tried the Mexico to Creel and Copper C. last week ,but got turned away, due to some really ugly border issues at Texas where I was at the moment! Bad luck for me, as I think Mexico has some great riding as you know. I missed out. Your photo shop has some neat shots and riding in a group is a plus. Randy

 

[acejones]

PolarBear,

Could you expand on those issues ? Why were you turned away ?

 

[Polarbear]

Bad karma, I guess!

I rode the Big Bend NP, TX just the last two weeks and was in line to do Copper Canyon,MEX, too. I spent one night and day in Tucson and got my first news of border issues flaming up in recent days, weeks. Guns and drugs are age old concerns along our border, BUT recently the officials on both sides have been nearly at war with it, I found out the hard way...I am traveling solo on a GSA1200 for this trip, which turned out to be my nemisis for crossing. I was warned by US Border Patrol guys(numerous times) and N.Mex State troopers that caught me speeding at the Border Hwy 9, West of El Paso, that going alone was a really bad idea right now, especially. My crossing to Mexico was planned for Presidio, TX and more US Border guys stopped me and gave me warning to stay put on this side and I got an ear full of warnings there. As we spoke, within yards of the border, we could hear the gunfire, as things bad were happening, within "earshot", no pun intended. Well, enough said. Me, traveling alone on a mega expensive m/c and riding gear, looking like a millionaire on a bike, was enough for me to stay home this time. Mexico is a best traveled land with friends on many bikes and I have done it alone before, but the ciscumstances last week were exceptional enough for me to listen up and take some good advice from the professionals working there day to day. Our guys are readily armed with M16s at the ready and I've not seen this before either, in my travels along the border. Another day, Mexico will call again. This team of riders had a wonderful time, it appears, but team efforts are best sometimes! Randy

 

[darrylri]

We crossed into Mexico at McAllen, TX. It was quick and easy, but the Banjercito (administration for getting your vehicle import and visa paperwork done) had a computer failure and we headed over to the Pharr crossing, where we processed through in about an hour. Both crossings seemed quite quiet.

Steve and I crossed back at the Palomas/Columbus crossing in New Mexico. We did that because we have a friend in Deming, 35 miles up the road, where we were going to stay. But Palomas is a pretty sleepy place also, and it probably only took us about 30 minutes to undo the paperwork on the Mexican side and then cross through the US border check.

Other than getting la mordida from a cop in Veracruz, we never felt like there was any danger other than being overwhelmed by the beggars and street vendors in some of the more touristy places. Things are supposed to be much safer once you're away from the frontier areas. Best to try to get through them early in the morning if you can.

 

[franze]

I rode the Big Bend NP, TX just the last two weeks and was in line to do Copper Canyon,MEX, too. I spent one night and day in Tucson and got my first news of border issues flaming up in recent days, weeks. Guns and drugs are age old concerns along our border, BUT recently the officials on both sides have been nearly at war with it, I found out the hard way...I am traveling solo on a GSA1200 for this trip, which turned out to be my nemisis for crossing. I was warned by US Border Patrol guys(numerous times) and N.Mex State troopers that caught me speeding at the Border Hwy 9, West of El Paso, that going alone was a really bad idea right now, especially. My crossing to Mexico was planned for Presidio, TX and more US Border guys stopped me and gave me warning to stay put on this side and I got an ear full of warnings there. As we spoke, within yards of the border, we could hear the gunfire, as things bad were happening, within "earshot", no pun intended. Well, enough said. Me, traveling alone on a mega expensive m/c and riding gear, looking like a millionaire on a bike, was enough for me to stay home this time. Mexico is a best traveled land with friends on many bikes and I have done it alone before, but the ciscumstances last week were exceptional enough for me to listen up and take some good advice from the professionals working there day to day. Our guys are readily armed with M16s at the ready and I've not seen this before either, in my travels along the border. Another day, Mexico will call again. This team of riders had a wonderful time, it appears, but team efforts are best sometimes! Randy

As Yogi would say, " you are smarter than the average bear " . You are a wise man, Randy. There's bad things happening down there right now, especially along the Texas border. El Paso/ Juarez........no thanks!

 

[PAULBACH]

Thanks for sharing the journey. Glad to hear you used discretion.

I was thinking of a trip down Mexico way but for now ... manana.

 

[CaptainR12C]

I just returned from a three week tour down to Mexico.

Did you make it out with both your kidneys??

 

[darrylri]

Did you make it out with both your kidneys??

I believe so. Although I haven't undergone a CAT scan, I never woke up in a tub of ice, nor do I have any scars on my back. And considering the margaritas, wine and beer drunk in the evenings, I think I'd probably have needed both of them.

 

[Roy.Jackson55@aol.com]

Thanks for sharing the journey. Glad to hear you used discretion.

I was thinking of a trip down Mexico way but for now ... manana.

When I was stationed in San Diego back in the early 80's we use to go to Mexico all the time. Never had any trouble. Looks like it took a turn for the worst.

Amid Growing Violence, Marines are Now Banned from Visiting Tijuana
Submitted by Julie on January 23, 2009 - 10:32am. Government Lifestyle News North America Travel Travel Alerts US News World News
As drug violence continues to soar in the Mexican bordertown of Tijuana, the military has barred Marines from visiting. Lt. General Samuel Helland of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton said that they have restricted travel to Mexico for the units 44,000 members.

Mike Alvarez, the unit's civilian public information officer, told reporters, "The situation in Mexico is now more dangerous than usual. The intent is just to look out for the Marines' safety and well-being."

In 2008, 843 people were killed in Tijuana, a dramatic increase from the 2007 death toll of 337. Many of the murders were execution style, with bodies found decapitated.

The order was first enacted for the Christmas holidays, but the order was last week extended indefinitely.

 

[Polarbear]

ME too

Been to Mexico many times, but this was a first for me and did not even know the issues were so poor at "certain" border crossings. I found out last week! "Mexico" has much to offer for riders and I am sort of unhappy how things are going right now for the Mexicans and the guns/drugs wars along the border especially. If you go, ride in groups and I had nobody riding with me, so I opted out as a solo. It was a good choice and I can go another day. Our friends, riding this three week Mexico journey had a wonderful time and great photo's, so Mexico can be had for some really good rides, I know. PS; Columbus, N.Mex is where you came back in, yes...I got stopped just a few miles east of there on Hwy9 at 20 over the limit(75). 55 mph speed limit is a tad slow for that area, but I got caught by N.Mex.Troopers. I did talk may way out of this one, but a thorough saddlebag inspection was required and I did not complain. Lucky day, especially 20mph over the limit. I promised to slow up. Randy

 

[judjones]

Of course we have been hearing all kinds of reports of trouble for the past few months. i was unable to make my Copper Canyon trip this year for other reasons, but the group I usually ride with was there for the first two weeks of February. They saw signs of military and police activity, especially in Cd. Chihuahua, but encountered no trouble at the border or in the Copper Canyon region. The only inconvenience was that the federales were billeted in the motel where we like to watch the Super Bowl, and the bar was closed, so my friends had to find another venue.

Despite all the warnings, I have yet to hear of a single instance of a motorcycle traveler falling prey to violent crime. That is not to say everything is roses. There are towns in Copper Canyon, particularly the Sinforosa area, where the locals will simply let you know you are not welcome. Last year we arrived in Batopilas the day after a big shoot-out between Federales and a fugitive. There are often reports of bandits holding up hikers in remote areas of the canyons, although I only know of one party of motorcyclists that was robbed, and that was close to ten years ago.

It has probably helped that my Mexico travels have always been in a group, but there are plenty of accounts of solo riders coming back unscathed.

 

[Rinty]

Hey Darryl, maybe give the thread a bump when your site is back up?

 

[darrylri]

Hey Darryl, maybe give the thread a bump when your site is back up?

Ok, it's back up! Thanks for your patience everyone!

 

[visian]

hey darryl - i missed this earlier.

great shots... thanks!

ian

ps => randy, man were you ever smart to take the border patrols' advice.